Gong ringers count-off for homeless population

One Night Count keeps track of the number of homeless people in King County.

Ed YourdonCreative Commons

Over 2,000 people sleep outside in the cold according to One Night Count which tracks King County’s homeless population. Outside Seattle City Hall today, many involved with the count struck a gong for every homeless person found during this year's count.

Volunteers scoured the streets between two and five this morning, counting as many homeless men, women and children as they could find. They found 2,736 homeless people. That's up two percent from last year. Men make up the majority of the homeless, and most people were found living in their cars. One Night Count has taken place every year since 1980.